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Treat Mold with Caution

In Florence, mold damage is a common problem. It affects all kinds of homes and businesses. It is not something to be scared of; it happens to almost everybody, at some time in their lives. However, it does need to be treated with caution. Mold damage, though common, can be both expensive and can cause health effects.

This is why the only effective solution for dealing with chronic mold damage in Florence is to call in the experts. Qualified mold damage restoration teams have the necessary skills and expertise to make sure that all of the damaged areas of a property are safely removed. If you do not seek professional advice, you risk the problem becoming a recurring one.

This guide to the importance of professional mold damage restoration will help you get to grips with the best possible solution.

Fix the Source of the Issue

While homeowners can go some way to removing the superficial signs of mold damage (visible marks and blemishes), it is much more difficult to pinpoint the cause. And this is vital if the problem is to be eradicated for good. Mold damage restoration experts are trained to look for patterns and uncover the source of the destruction. More often than not, the mold is being caused by an unidentified leak within the building or humidity issues.

Recognize the Type of Mold

It is a common misunderstanding to assume that all mold is the same. In fact, there are more than 10,000 different varieties. As they all require a slightly different approach, identification is key to tackling mold damage. Nobody expects you to be able to distinguish between the characteristics of a thousand mold samples, so take the job to somebody who is specially trained for it.

Use the Right Equipment

Another important benefit of using a professional mold damage restoration service is access to specialized equipment. You might have a basic dehumidifier in your home or workplace, but this won’t be strong enough to tackle a serious problem. If there is evidence of high level mold in the building – which causes negative health effects – protective clothing is needed to ensure safety.

Prepare for Disaster with our Emergency READY Profile

Your business is thriving. On any given day, your sales team is firing on all cylinders, your office is bustling with activity and your operations team is running circles around itself trying to keep up.

You know one the biggest threat to your organization is operational downtime.

That's where we can help.

SERVPRO of The Quad Cities is a full service commercial restoration firm. Our training and experience allows us to handle any emergency at your business in a professional way to reduce operational risks, minimize downtime and save you money.

Consider this: 50% of businesses that suffer a major disaster will never reopen. And of those that reopened, most of them had a plan.

Do your employees know your chain-of-command?

Do your night teams know where your water shut-offs are?

Would your employees be able to direct first responders in the event of a fire?

Put simply: Is your team prepared to deal with situations like fire, water & mold damage?

Thankfully, SERVPRO of The Quad Cites can help you prepare for disaster with our Emergency READY Profile.

With the Emergency READY Profile, SERVPRO will help you create a functional profile that can be used for things like staff emergency manuals, emergency contact information and building emergency critical information. Because disasters often happen when you are away, your team will have all of this data at their fingertips, whenever it's needed.

Give us a call today. The consultation and Emergency READY Profile is offered at no cost to your facility. 256-383-4470

Professional Water Restoration Is A Smart Move

After a water emergency that floods a home or business, the last thing that most people want to deal with is a bill for cleaning up the damage. This is what leads many homeowners to attempt water damage cleanup on their own instead of calling a professional.

If you're in need of water removal in Florence, you may be tempted to save money by trying to get rid of the excess water on your own. However, going this route typically has more consequences than benefits and will result in greater losses of time, money, and your possessions in the long run. Here's why calling SERVPRO for professional water removal is a smart move.

More thorough water removalWhile some homeowners resort to opening windows and doors, turning on ceiling fans, and blotting towels around the house, SERVPRO has powerful equipment that ensures efficient and thorough water removal. We're also often able to restore documents, books, furnishings, and electronic devices affected by water damage. We will also get your home's humidity back to an appropriate level.

Many water emergencies are hazardousIf your house has been flooded with gray or black water, such as that from a natural disaster, backed up sewer line, or a leaky toilet, expert attention to the problem is best. These types of water are risky for untrained persons to handle because it involves disease causing waste and debris. This is the type of material that can't simply be put out with the week's garbage and needs proper and safe disposal. We're knowledgeable about how to get rid of contaminated waste during water extraction, so there are no lingering health risks to your family or pets.

Mold and mildew risksOne reason that so many homeowners who attempt DIY water removal eventually end up calling a pro is unseen damage caused by mold and mildew. Your flooring and possessions may look and feel dry. But without proper water extraction and controlling humidity, mold and mildew will thrive and damage your home's structure along with your possessions and furniture. SERVPRO technicians are skilled at protecting against the growth of mold and mildew and have effective strategies to combat it.

At SERVPRO of the Quad Cities, we know how important it is to get your home back in order as quickly as possible. We'll help you mitigate the costs of any water emergency by restoring your possessions and preventing future damage to your home. For more information about our water removal services or to receive a quote, call us 24/7 at (256)-383-4470

Reconstruction Needs After a Fire or Water Damage

Often when our homes face a fire or water damage we are left with an abundance of issues that need to be faced. SERVPRO of the Quad Cities has helped many in our community face all these problems in a "one stop shop". Below is the process typically followed for our customers who have construction needs after a fire or water damage.

2. SERVPRO of the Quad Cities responds quickly and starts mitigation to prevent further damage.

3. Construction is needed once mitigation is complete. Instead of calling around for contractors to do each project, SERVPRO will handle the headache and work with your insurance company to provide the construction needs to your home or business.

We are looking to help our customers feel at ease through the stressful times of disaster taking care of all their needs in one place.

Choose an IICRC Certified Firm

SERVPRO of The Quad Cities is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of The Quad Cities

SERVPRO of The Quad Cities specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Flood Safety Tips for First Responders

Our owner wades through floodwaters in a neighborhood in Muscle Shoals which was heavily impacted by recent flooding.

Know The Procedures You Should Take To Keep Yourself Safe

If you are a first responder in Muscle Shoals and your area has been damaged by floodwater, you are likely eager to start helping others. However, it’s important to know how to protect yourself as you help with the flood response in your area.

1. Wear the Appropriate Clothing

When you enter a home that has sustained damage from floodwater, it’s essential to protect yourself by wearing the appropriate clothing. Since floodwaters can contain mold and other hazardous materials or waste, it might be necessary to wear a mask. Protective clothing, such as gloves, boots and other items can often prevent you from becoming sick or injured as a result of working in a flooded location.

2. Get Vaccinated

As you help with the flood response in your location, you may be exposed to a variety of biohazards. When taking care of a patient or helping someone out of a flooded home, you might be exposed to potentially dangerous elements. The CDC requires responders to receive tetanus and Hepatitis B vaccines, though you can speak to your physician and ask if there are other vaccinations that could benefit you as a first responder. By being vaccinated, you’ll be equipped to handle a variety of situations without risking illness.

3. Be Aware of Hazards

Even with the right clothing and immunizations, it’s important to know that floodwater can contain, or can cause, various hazards. If floodwater is quick-moving, know the procedures you should take to keep yourself safe. Regardless of the situation, take the time to think about your safety.

Knowing how to keep yourself safe as a first responder can in turn help you protect others. As you work to help others, know that it can be useful to work with experts in flood damage restoration in order to fully restore homes.

How to Prevent or Thaw Frozen Pipes

With the colder weather officially upon us, now is an excellent time to learn more about how to avoid frozen pipes, and the subsequent water damage that can occur if those pipes expand and burst. Though frozen pipes are a common occurrence, they are highly preventable.

SERVPRO offers the following tips for preventing frozen pipes and mitigating potential damage that they can cause.

Insulate all the exposed pipes in your home. Especially where they may be unheated, such as the basement, attic, garage, crawl space, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

Keep the temperature the same during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower temperatures in the evening, you can prevent a costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.

Close any inside values that supply water outdoors and open the outside value to properly drain excess water that may be in the pipes.

In drastically cold temperatures, let your faucet trickle. While you may be concerned about wasting water, running water is less likely to freeze.

Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Keep outside valves open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing it to break.

If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, leave the heat on and set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

Found a Frozen Pipe? Thaw It Out:

If you turn on a faucet and only a few drips come out, suspect a frozen pipe. Typically, frozen pipes are found along exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.

Make sure the faucet remains on while treating the pipes, as the flowing water will help to melt the ice within the pipe.

Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad, an electric hair dryer, or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, or other open flame device.

Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze too.

Should you experience water damage from a burst pipe, turn off the water supply as soon as possible, and call SERVPRO of the Quad Cities immediately. The longer you wait to call, the greater the chance of mold growth and unrecoverable property. SERVPRO of the Quad Cities professional technicians have the expertise to prevent or mitigate the devastating effects that water damage can have.

Prevent Moldy Carpet

Mold can grow in virtually every area of a home and on any surface, if given the right environment. That includes your beautiful carpets that you spend so much energy trying to keep clean and looking beautiful. While there can be many causes of mold in a home, when it comes to moldy carpets there are a few things you can do to reduce the chances you ever have to deal with it.

Control the humidity and temperature in your home

Mold grows best with a certain amount of moisture in the air as well as certain temperature ranges. One way to help prevent mold growth on any surface in your home, including your carpets, is to ensure your humidity levels never reach 60%. And while it’s unlikely you like living in this warm of a house, make sure you don’t set the thermometer above 80 degrees.

Consider a different floor covering in areas prone to moisture

Some areas of a home are just more prone to humidity and moisture. Like your bathroom, for instance. Every design aspect of your home should be done with appearance and functionality in mind, and that includes making sure you’re making smart decisions about the type of floor coverings to have in certain areas based on the area’s usage along with environmental aspects. When it comes to bathroom floors, and to a lesser extent basement floors, sometimes the smartest plan is to avoid carpets altogether.

Use carpet padding that is anti-microbial

There are a few different types of padding most commonly used in residential homes. While some are more budget friendly than others, if you’re considering carpet in areas that may be more prone to moisture issues, consider installing rubber-slab carpet padding. It’s much more resistant to mold growth than traditional carpet pads.

If you do get standing water on your carpets, get it out fast!

This goes for any surface type in your home, and it’s especially true with carpets. With the right humidity levels and temperatures, mold growth can accelerate quickly when food and water are present. Getting the water and excess moisture out quickly can be the difference between a close call and a serious health problem for your family.

Clean your carpets regularly

Vacuuming your carpets regularly, along with having them professionally steam cleaned, can go a long way in preventing mold growth. One of the components of rapid mold growth is food, and mold loves dirt, grime, food, and any other organic substance that can be found in your carpet fibers. Regularly cleaning your carpets is a great way to help reduce the likelihood of dealing with mold in the future!

Typically, if you have mold on your carpets a visual inspection is all that is necessary. But in other instances, you may notice a musty smell or perhaps you’ve also been experiencing some troubling health issues that you think may be attributed to high levels of mold. Call SERVPRO of the Quad Cities at 256-383-4470 if you think you may have a mold problem in your home.

Power Outage Tips

Weather-related power outages are a fact of life in North Alabama. Fortunately, most utility departments are able to respond quickly and return power as soon as possible.

Here are some tips to help you get through a power outage.

To Help Preserve your Food During a Power OutageKeep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. First use perishable food from the refrigerator. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if the door is kept closed. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) that have been above 40 °F for over 2 hours.

Protecting Electrical Equipment During a Power OutageTurn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics. Turn off or disconnect equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment. Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on. Turn all other light switches off.

Don’t forget about Carbon Monoxide, Be Careful!Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

Be PreparedIt’s always good to be prepared in the event that the power goes out. Your emergency kit should include items such as flashlights, flameless candles, matches, canned foods, water, granola bars, etc.

What To Do Immediately After a House Fire

Ask whether it is safe to enter the home. Do not enter if the fire department hasn't deemed it safe.

Know who to call.

Contact family members and let them know you are safe, and unharmed.

Contact your insurance agent. They will be able to talk you through the necessary steps, including proper documentation and emergency lodging and living expenses (keep all of your receipts!) The insurance company may assist in securing a company to help with clean up options.

You may request SERVPRO at this time for contents cleaning, restoration etc.

Another call may be to your landlord if applicable, and to your local American Red Cross.

Secure the property to prevent possible looting. We are available to assist with securing the property, including boarding up windows and doorways.

If the fire department used water to put out the fire, drying your home is critical. Water damage can lead to mold damage if not dried properly. SERVPRO is an approved restoration contractor for many major insurance carriers and adheres to the highest standards in the restoration industry.

Seek counseling if needed. Children and adults can feel a traumatic sense of loss, and may need help to avoid a lasting sense of sadness and disorientation after a house fire. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. A house fire is a traumatic event and individuals need to be treated with respect and compassion by those close to the process of rebuilding.

For more information on fire damage cleanup, call SERVPRO of the Quad Cities at (256) 383-4470.